How's everyone doing?

[Pete]

I know we don't really get to posting much around here anymore, but I'm just wondering how everyone's doing. I know the remaining few of us are a strange bunch of all different walks of life, but I miss the banter and bullshit.


That being said, whoever's around, how the hell are ya?

[Taco-Calamitous]

Today, I just jogged the basic loop I would run 8 years ago for the first time in like 4+ years. Droppin' that weight. Also, buzzed, and not getting enough sleep, because I'm foolish, lolol. Trying to figure out what my next move is, job-wise. Working the easiest job I've ever had, but it pays like 25 cents more than minimum wage, so yeah. But I draw and listen to podcasts all day, lol.

How are you?

[Josh_R]

Work work work and more work sums up my life right now. Company I work with has been opening several stores so I have been getting ran ragged the last month. Waiting for things to get back to normal. I sit around sometimes and wonder how some of the people here are doing. Have pretty fond memories of this place from back in the days.

[Zargabaath]

I am doing pretty well. Got myself a power smokeless indoor grill for the apartment. My grill pan emits too much smoke. A fan and windows open are a necessity. Did a lot of cooking for xmas. Tried some new side dishes yesterday they turned out pretty good. Roasted cabbage with walnuts, parmigiano, and saba (used balsamic vinegar as a sub) from "Six Season by Joshua McFadden" and Brussels sprouts with quince and bacon from "My Portugal by George Mendes". I had those with some sous-vide lamb chops.

Job is going well and have had some time home with the holidays. I will be getting back on the road early to mid January. No luck on the dating end, but that is a mixture of job and myself to blame. Being on the road frequently and when I am home, I tend to try new recipes. It is a conundrum, I am bettering my cooking ability but that is hindering me from going out. While my closest friends are single they do not have the discretionary income that I do. I don't mind trying new restaurants solo, but even I have reservations about going out without a wingman. Lastly, not wanting any kids at all, including any from her previous relationship, really narrows it down and in this area it is very limiting. I feel a more urban area there may be more options, but the job is really good with the perks and all.

[Alpha]

I'm doing well. Kind of hate my job, but I'm also closer to working for myself than ever before. I have one kid, who's just turned one, and my second son is due in April. I love them to bits and they have changed my life far more than I expected, but they're also the reason I'm hanging on to a job I don't really like... 2020 is the year I finally don't have a student loan, which should free me up to buy my own house in 2021. I'm currently working through a fitness program that today saw me run 8km: the most I've ever ran at once. I think maybe I'll join the Army Reserves eventually.

The more I read of what I was talking about on here approximately a decade a go, the more I dislike my old self. There are surprisingly few shared opinions.

[Xanatos]

Rather well lately. Got a promotion of sorts, I say "of sorts" because my former mentor got into an accident and couldn't perform his duty for quite a while so someone had to step in, and they choose me. A lot more responsibility, and at times overtime, but the bump in the paycheck is nice. I also lost some weight, 14 kilos to be more precise. Had a back injury a while back, gained some weight, so had to do something about it. While I am super satisfied with the result I still plan on loosing 5 more kilos. Traveled around the Europe a bit, was in Prague, Köln, Mönchengladbach and Eindhoven, had the best time in Prague. Plan on doing the same this year, most probably Budapest, perhaps hit Belgium as well. Honestly, the only thing I can truly complain lately is my love life, had some terrible experiences, but eh, fuck it.

[NikkiLinkle]

It's been a million years since I posted. I saw Final Fantasy A New World last night and here I am.

I just turned 32 last week, had a really shitty 2019 that involved traveling to America (from Australia) and an awful heart break. I won't get into that. I'm now on a journey to improve my mental health as I phase out of the healing process from said heart break.

I work full time making labels at a switchboard manufacturer. I live alone in a cute pink on the inside house and am going on a Coheed and Cambria (my favourite band) cruise in October Miami to Bahamas!

I still don't know what the heck I'm doing in life but I'm here and it's beautiful despite the challenges we face.

Oh and I have two goofy cats Amory and Everly who are my world. My cat Zoe passed away 2 years ago at the age of 17 and my cat Link is still going strong at 11 years old!

[Pete]

Holy shit Nikki, welcome back! I'm sorry America sucked for you. I'd like to think we're a better time than what you experienced.

As for myself, life is pretty good at the moment. I've been very happily married for almost two years now, which is kind of crazy, but amazing in it's own right. I remember talking to people here about my first ever date and kiss, almost 20 years ago.

I'm strangely alright with doing the whole suburban homeowner thing. I care way too much about my lawn in the warmer months, and am the first on my street to throw down rock salt in the snow. I've been fortunate enough to be able to afford a nice down payment, as well as have a combined income to live relatively comfortably. There's just always something to do or something to improve. I just redid my guest bathroom by myself and that was a project.

Work is good at the moment. I'm looking to take another certification test, which will get me another 10k a year. It's supposedly an easy test, but it's not anything I've ever done before. I'm sure I can handle the new work, but the material is so dry that I've fallen asleep reading it. I'm also considering getting into the project management side of my business, but I'm still trying to figure out if going for an MBA will be worth it, in lieu of the experience I already have.

I'm still getting used to the current trend of literally everyone getting pregnant within a very short period of time. Between me and my wife, there are at least five people we consider good friends that have announced pregnancies. I'm happy for all of them, but I can sense that my wife is starting to want one too. I'm ready to be a dad but also terrified at the idea. I feel like I'd rather get a dog first.


Long story short life is pretty good right now.

[CloudTide]

Working as a contract filmmaker doing a documentary on Willy Ramos, the Ghetto Preacher, right now. The pay's nothing but I'm doing what I love Boutta register for summer classes and finish up college with a Creative Writing degree. Man, so much has happened since I joined TFF. This used to be the place I felt like I could really be myself. It's nice to see it's still here after all these years. I was 13 when I made my first RP on here XD a crappy FFVII fan fic that let me escape the normalcy of my elementary life. It's crazy reading all these posts about marriage and kids and adulthood. I've never met a single one of you yet hearing how everyone's doing makes me feel some type of way, you know? That feeling you get when you go to a class reunion or something lol

[Taco-Calamitous]

So how's everyone handling quarantine? Or as some like to put it, "Corn Teen?"

My work decided that they will pay us during this, and I live in a relatively low-populated area and have a back yard, so I can go outside and stuff, still. For now. The weather's been nice, too.

My dad's been in memory care, and he got sick with pneumonia. They tested him for the virus, and that took a few days to get back--but it came back negative.

Shelter in place just around the corner, or what? Are you gonna obey it if they tell us to? The libertarians I talk to on FB are freaking out, heh... Maybe we should be, too.

[Pete]

Damn, I'm sorry to hear about what you're going through with your dad. I hope everything works out for the best with him.

Quarantine is and isn't a thing for me. I've been deemed essential personnel by the governor. I'll preface everything else I'm going to say with this. I know and fully understand how terrible this situation is, especially for the people who are severely affected, either though being sick or financially impacted by all of this. I really do feel terribly for them.

That being said, on a personal side of things, this has been kind of awesome. I fly into and out of the city every day with little to no traffic. My day in and day out typical workload is slightly slower than usual, obviously, so I can get my paperwork and reports done while I'm at work, as opposed to doing them at home. I've been getting more sleep, and have been catching up on TV shows and trying my best to social distance myself from the rest of the world.

I'm also playing FF9 for the first time in 20 years. I forgot how much fun that game is.

[RamesesII]

World's gone to shit,

Aus a bit behind on everything atm, my wife and my work are deemed essential so we both have work for the time being, which means our kids still have to go to school until schools are fully closed, I have the ability to stop work if need be but my wife will probably stay at work working in telecommunications.My work could possibly relocate me to a different sector depending on whether the deem me useful somewhere else advantage to working for the government I guess.

Aside from the BS, kids are super grown now, 3 are gross teenagers, one still little and cute otherwise our life is moving slow and steady.

[Taco-Calamitous]

Eh, my dad's been in memory care for over two years, now. He fell and broke both his hips within a couple months of each other at the start of 2018, and while his cognitive abilities were already going before that, that kinda tipped him over. My mom was with him pretty much every day up until now, so the past bit has been hard for her.

I'm not working, but I'm getting paid. Kinda wonder if that will last if this lasts a lot longer, tbh. If they'll keep us on the payroll. Guess we're all gonna get $1,200 to our bank accounts monthly. Some personalities I listen to worry that that will cause inflation. I keep on hearing bad things on the horizon for the economy (worse than what's been going on).

I beat 12 the other day, and started playing the Animal Crossing, which is like Animal Crossing. Don't remember if the last one had this DIY stuff tho, so that's kinda cool (you can gather materials from the island to make stuff). Also started Breath of the Wild, finally, and that just feels really good to play. Like, it kinda feels natural. I like wandering around in sandbox games, and this definitely has that going.

[Pete]

That's rough to deal with man. I'm sorry you're going through that.

I'm looking forward to my stimulus check, but obviously I wish we were never in this situation to begin with. I might use it to hire a contractor to install a duct in my upstairs bathroom. Whoever did the original work never had the fan vent actually vent to the outdoors, so all of the moisture and poop smells were just sucked right up into the attic area. I could probably do it myself, but I'd prefer not to be up on the roof.

Breath of the wild looks awesome, but I haven't owned a Nintendo system since the cube. My wife might kill me if I picked another system up, since I currently have a PS3, PS4, and Xbox one in my man cave, and a Genesis in the basement. To be fair, she bought the the PS4 and the Genesis, so she can't complain too much.

I also just bought The Show 20, since I'm going through baseball withdrawals. And with the ban that NY has on gatherings of any size for any reason, my softball team can't even get together and play.

Fucking bat soup, man.

[Unknown Entity]

On day fifteen of self isolation. I was off work last week because of a chest infection and by the time I bounced somewhat back, country went into lockdown. Don't even know if I had Covid-19 as the country isn't testing. So I've been working from home this week. Which has it's plus sides - shortest commute I've ever had, depending how long it lasts I'll save £200 in travel and I don't eat nearly as much when I'm at home. Also had a game or Netflix on in the background when work is slow - made about 100k in the Sims just by having it on with minimum interaction lol.

As I'm not sure if I had it, I'm worried about leaving the house. Really hoping all my symptoms die down so I can take up jogging for as long as this working from home stuff lasts. My activity has gone from a 40ish minute walk a day to the occasional trip to kitchen or bathroom. I did twenty sit ups yesterday and it hurt to laugh. Fingers crossed I go back to work looking a little lighter than even a bit heavier. xD

Hope you're all staying safe and healthy.

[Alpha]

Day 3 of national lockdown. How surreal is this?

The day before lockdown, I drove four hours return to pick up my 76-year-old mother in law so she could isolate with us. Her house is very cold and she doesn't have the means to keep it adequately heated, and it's getting steadily colder now. Plus we didn't want her to have to go to the supermarket. So there's my 36-weeks-pregnant wife, our 15-month-old son, my MIL, and myself. I'm working from home, and picking up some extra freelance work. The baby's due at the end of the 4 week lockdown, but I don't believe for a second that the lockdown will lift then. Police are escorting fathers from the maternity suite if they fail to follow instructions to leave - that's the path I'm planning to take. I feel I have a natural right to be with my wife and child at birth and until they're fit to leave the hopsital, and only a Police escort will convince me otherwise.

I'm worried about the economic repurcussions, and I'm honestly not convinced that "hide in your houses" is a good strategy against a virus when we expect the vaccine is 12-18 months away. The moment the lockdown is lifted, the virus will spread again - so what are we gaining? If after 12-18 months we can all be vaccinated - great - but we'll almost certainly have a worse economic depression than the Great one. This is balls.

[burbigo]

I'm doing good and my family too, we're all confined and hoping that all of this will stop soon.

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SHAREit MX Player

[Kurt Zisa]

Already lost track of what day it is. The last two or three days before the lockdown were manic at work so it's gone from one extreme to the other. Me wife is semi working from home and i'm sort of in limbo in terms of income. We were pretty much set for getting the deposit for our first home this year but that's all gone to heck. Our first wedding anniversary is tomorrow so at least we can make a fancy isolation dinner.

As for killing time (refuse to see this as a holiday) I've been going between Animal Crossing, model building, and playing Magic over discord. Essentially all the hobbies that got shelved due to work. Been cooking a fair bit too. Also downloading L4D2 as I'm typing.

Keep taking care of yourselves peeps.

[Pete]

I'm currently at work, being "essential". According to the city, low/no income housing is essential. I happen to strongly disagree, but it means I get paid, which is nice.

My wife found out that Fender is giving three months of free online guitar lessons, so I've actually picked up my guitar for the first time in 10+ years. I've learned more in the two hours of lessons that I've done than in the previous 17 years of owning my guitar. I'm also finding myself enjoying it way more than I ever expected to.

Other than that, I'm still plugging away at FF9, trying to get every skill for every character. Just left Black Mage village.

[Rowan]

Just popping back to say hi. Its been a long time. I hope youre all doing well. So much has happened since i last spoke with you all. Here we are in the midst of a global crisis, yet ff7 remake is out. Could the timing be anymore perfect?

I hope you've all been doing well. Glad to see youre all still around.

[HUNK]

Hey there everyone. Been so long I bout feel like a different dood but to be honest I'm still just me.
Having fun, being essential and all. Must say, the current state of things has changed my small town very little. People are still paranoid and gossiping away cause they've literally got nothing better to do.
Sounds like most of the same stuff for a lot of us. People are either stuck at home or working like dogs. Dont let it get ya down folks. Though I don't post, I pay attention to the little posts on TFF's Facebook page and it reminds me to login and see what's going on. Hope y'all are all staying safe out there! Much love from NC

[Taco-Calamitous]

Hi HUNK.

So I'm awake at 4 AM, drinking a beer, because I got off work an hour and a half ago. I got a new job. I didn't think I actually wanted it and didn't prepare for the interview at all, but I somehow got it anyway, and it's alright. It's 5 10s right now, so I'm gettin' that sweet OT too. Doesn't leave much time to do other things tho, like mow the lawn, which is getting REALLY bad, lol...

It's also helping me keep my mind off what's going on in the world right now, tho, so that's nice.

[Pete]

Night shift work is the worst. I wound up working the night shift at the mall both as retail and construction. I'm not sure what I hated more.

There's something particularly depressing about getting out of work right as the sun starts to come up. It also really sucks to wake up before the sun in the summer, which I've been doing.

[Taco-Calamitous]

Yeah, I did it before for a little while as a janitor, right before I left for the Air Force. I found it depressing then because I essentially never got to see my friends right before I was leaving forever, but right now there's nothing going on and I can't see my friends anyway, so I'm just kinda like "eh."

[Rocky]

I've just been chilling, sitting outside in my newly fenced in backyard, drinking some Ginger Ale and playing fetch with the dogs.

Past few years have been moderately "meh" to full blown terrible (2019 was in particular a bad one), but despite the global happenings, 2020 has actually been quite kind to me. Really can't complain too much; my family and I are all healthy, doing well financially, and able to work on my passions/new projects while having more work-life balance than before.

All things could be improved but everything is trending up. Just became an uncle for the first time two days ago, so I'm looking forward to spoiling my nephew rotten while also teaching him life lessons and all that jazz.

Always good to see old friends like Pete still kicking it here. Can't say I'll be around for too long but you can always PM me for info. Cheers

[Clint]

I read the line "despite the global happenings" as "despite the global gangbangs."

[Taco-Calamitous]

I suppose the Corona Virus pandemic is kinda a global gangbang. Just by a virus.

[Kurt Zisa]

How's everyone hanging on? Covid's appeared in the community again in NZ after a few months of the only cases being returnees in quarantine.